For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be."-Matthew 24:21 (NKJV)
After the rapture of the church, the next major event on the prophetic timeline is a period known as the great tribulation. According to Daniel 9:27, it will last for one "week, " or in prophetic terms, a seven-year period (see October 23). This "week " will begin the moment the nation of Israel signs a peace treaty with its enemies (Daniel 9:27) and will conclude with Jesus Christ coming back to earth to rule and reign (Revelation 19:1-10).
During these seven years, God will punish humanity's collective disobedience and rebellion by pouring out His wrath upon the world (Revelation 6:17). Life on earth will be excruciatingly unbearable during these years. So much so that Jesus tells us in the above verse that this will be the most terrible time the world has ever seen or ever will see!
Space does not permit a detailed description of every judgment that will be poured out (they can be found in Revelation 6-18), but they include a global famine (Revelation 6:5), the poisoning of one-third of the world's water (Revelation 8:10), a scorching heat from the sun that burns the earth's inhabitants (Revelation 16:8), and a great earthquake that will shatter the nations (Revelation 16:18).
As members of Christ's body, we'll escape these events ahead of time via the rapture, but imagine what it will be like for the unbelieving world to suffer through these horrors! The mere thought should motivate us to share the Gospel with those who haven't yet placed their faith in Jesus. We can't change the fact that terrible times are ahead for this planet; however, we can do something about those who will be forced to face this time of great tribulation.
Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever. (Daniel 12:3 NKJV)
Discuss with your group a time when you faced a very dark season in your life. How did you respond during that experience? How do you feel now knowing that you have escaped God’s righteous judgment of the earth?
Dig deeper into Matthew 24. Why do you think this judgment will be more severe compared to all other past judgments? As you reflect on God’s character, why do you think He allows this tribulation to last for seven years? How does this change the way you live now?
Decide with your group that this sober reminder of the coming judgment will move you to action. As you think about the people you know, who needs to be “turned to righteousness”? How can you be used this week to prevent those you know from experiencing the reality of the tribulation?
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